Alarm set indicator



Oct. 18, 1966 w MORGAN ETAL 3,279,167

ALARM SET INDICATOR Original Filed Aug. 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 60 INVENTOR5= 46 65 JOHN w. MORGAN JOSEPH J. MAHON JOHN R. LOLL/ BJMZCM 1966 J. w. MORGAN ETAL 3,279,167

ALARM SET INDICATOR Original Filed Aug. '7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS F JOHN w MORGAN JOSEPH J. MAI-ION JOHN R. LOLLI o 18, 1,966 J. w. MORGAN ETAL 3,279,167

ALARM SET INDICATOR Original Filed Aug. '7. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 [915 50 $i iL n 3 K 5% WW i; "(H 2 5 INVENTOR5-' JOHN W MORGAN JOSEPH J. MAHON JOHN R. LOLL/ Oct. 18, 1966 w MQRGAN ETAL 3,279,167

. ALARM SET INDICATOR Original Filed Aug. '7. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

5- INVENTORS.

\ fifl] JOHN W. MORGAN JOSEPH J. MAHON JOHN R. LOLLI United States Patent 3,279,167 ALARM SET INDICATOR John W. Morgan, Elmhurst, 11]., Joseph J. Mahon, Litchfield, Conn., and John R. Lolli, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Original application Aug. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 129,637. D1-

vided and this application Dec. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 421,319

8 Claims. (Cl. 58-22.7)

This is a division of US. application Serial No. 129,637, filed August 7, 1961. This invention relates generally to alarm clocks, and more particularly, to a means for indicating whether or not the alarm shutoff is in the position to permit sounding of the alarm or to restrain sounding of the alarm.

The alarm clock as it is known today characteristically includes several controls. One of these is a manually rotatable shaft which permits adjustment of the time at which the alarm will sound. The other is the so-called alarm shutoff which is movable between two positions, In one position the shutoff is effective to prevent sounding of the alarm at the preselected time for which it has been set. In the other position or the alarm on position, the shutoff will permit the alarm to sound at the preselected time.

Under normal conditions, the user of the clock has set the alarm to sound at a predetermined time, i.e. at the time he wishes to arise. Upon retiring the user of the clock moves the alarm shutoff to the alarm on position which renders the alarm mechanism effective to sound the alarm at the preselected time. When the preselected time arrives and the alarm sounds, the user who has been awakened moves the shutoff to the alarm off or restraining position. The above steps associated with the use of an alarm clock become very routine and present little problem. There are occasions, however, when a person retires and forgets to move the alarm set to the alarm on position. The result is, of course, that the alarm mechanism will be restrained from sounding at the desired time. Many people who are forgetful become concerned after they retire as to whether or not they have moved the alarm set indicator to the alarm on position before retiring. Such individuals frequently find it necessary, in order to relieve their minds to arise and investigate the position of the alarm shutoff control to determine whether or not it was properly set. It would be desirable if means could be provided to make it immediately obvious to the user of the clock whether or not the alarm shutoff control had been properly set prior to his retiring. Inasmuch as such investigation of the position of the alarm shutoff normally takes place in a darkened room, it would be desirable to have means to indicate the position of the alarm shutoff control to the user in a darkened room.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved alarm clock.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved alarm clock having means to indicate to the user the position of the alarm shutoff control.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an electric alarm clock having an illuminated indicator to inform the user of the clock as to the position of the alarm shutoff control.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective View of an improved alarm ice clock constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the clock motor and movement with the housing thereof cut away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the motor and movement shown in FIG. 2 with portions of the motor cut away to show the illuminated alarm set indicating means;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View similar to FIG. 3 showing the alarm shutoff control in the alarm restraining position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the clock movement taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of our alarm set indicating means;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view taken along line 7-7 of FIG, 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of our alarm set indicating means;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the alarm set indicating means shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 1313 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a rear plan view of another embodiment of our alarm set indicating means.

Briefly, the invention comprises an electric alarm clock including a light source positioned within the housing or casing of an alarm clock with an opening being provided through which the light may be observed and a light shutter associated with the alarm shutoff control of the alarm clock. The shutter is positioned to either permit passage of light through the opening or obstruct light from passing through the opening depending on the position of the alarm shutoff. Such an arrangement permits the user of the clock to determine at a glance whether the alarm shutoff has been moved to one position or the other. By employing a continuously illuminated bulb within the clock housing and a shutter which consists of little more than an extension on the alarm shutofi lever, a very simple and inexpensive mechanism is provided which performs a very useful function.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an alarm clock generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The clock comprises a generally cupshaped casing 22 which has a front opening 22:: through which the working parts of the clock are assembled to the casing. Mounted within the opening 22a is the clock face 24 which is inscribed with a suitable dial 26 including the conventional hour indicia. A transparent crystal 28 is superimposed over the clock face 24. The clock 20 also includes time driven second, minute and hour hands designated by reference numerals 29, 30 and 31, respectively. In addition, there is an alarm hand 32 which indicates the hour at which the alarm mechanism is set to sound.

The clock casing 22 and the clock face 24 may be considered to form a clock housing or enclosure within which alarm motor and movement are mounted. While the particular form of the motor and movement are not significant, the details shown in the instant application are similar to the motor and movement disclosed and claimed in a patent application by Chartier and Wickenberg, Electric Clock, Serial No. 688,467, filed October 7, 1957, and assigned to the same assigneeas the instant application. As is described in the above-mentioned application, the motor includes a field or stator 36 which is connected by leads 38 to a suitable source of alternating current. The motor has .been set.

and movement are carried by a front supporting plate 40 and a rear supporting plate 42. The clock face 24 is mounted directly on the forward side of the front sup- 4 porting plate 40. To produce the audible alarm signal, it

is conventional to mount a vibrator or reed-like member 44 adjacent the motor field 36. The reed-like member 44 is an end supported member made of a magnetic material and positioned with the free end thereof within the alternating field produced by the motor field. As a conse quence, the vibrator 44 is continuously subjected to magnetic forces which tend to vibrate it and produce an audible signal.

In order that the vibrator 44 may be restrained or main .tained quiet except when the alarm signal is intended to sound, there is a time controlled alarm mechanism which 'serves to restrain the vibrator 44. As may best be seen .in FIG. 5, this alarm mechanism includes an axially movable alarm gear 46 which moves forwardly when the time arrives for the alarm to sound. The movement of the alarm gear is related to the restraining or release of the vibrator 44 by means of a pivotally mounted alarm lever 48. The alarm lever 48 is pivotally Supported on a forked projection 50 which extends rearwardly from the front supporting plate 40. The alarm lever 48 is substantially ,L-shaped in configuration having a bifurcated end portion 48a in engagement with the alarm gear 46 and a leg 48b extending rearwardly and movable into and out of engagement with the vibrator 44. A spring 52 mounted on the front supporting plate 40 biases the alarm lever 48 continuously into engagement with the alarm gear 46.

Thus, as the alarm gear 46 moves to its forward position,

as shown in FIG. 3, the leg 48b of the alarm lever 48 I moves out of engagement with the vibrator 44 and permits not permit it to produce an audible signal even at the time for which the alarm mechanism is set to sound, there is provided an alarm shutoff member 54. As may best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the alarm shutoff member 54 is mounted for movement substantially perpendicular to the front and rear supporting plates 40 and 42, respectively. The front end 54a of the alarm shutoff lever is slidably supported in the rear supporting plate 42 and is adapted to engage, upon forward movement thereof, the alarm -lever 48. As may be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the alarm ,lever 48 is formed with a sidewardly extending projection 480 which is engaged by the alarm shutoff 54. The rearwardly projecting end of the alarm shutoff 54 is slidably received in a slotted bracket 56. The alarm shutoff 54 is movable between a rearward alarm position in which it is ineffective in restraining the alarm mechanism and a forward or alarm shutoff position in which it engages .the alarm lever 48 and thereby restrains the vibrator 44 from producing an audible signal.

To latch the alarm shutoff lever in either the forward or rearward position,

a detent spring 58 is provided which engages notches 54b and 540 on the alarm lever. The structure of the motor, the alarm mechanism and the alarm shutoff described briefly above is considered conventional and is described in detail in the above-mentioned Chartier and Wickenberg application.

Our invention is extremely simple and involves the addition of very few parts to the above-described mechanism to provide means for signalling the user of the clock with alight indicating whether or not the alarm mechanism The alarm shutoff 54 is modified somewhat to the extent that it is provided with a light shutter which 'is, movable with the shutoff to permit or to prevent transmission of light from the clock housing. The light shutter takes various forms in the different embodiments disclosed in the drawings. In some of the embodiments it involves a closure for an opening in the front of the housing and in others it involves merely a barrier which is inserted in a suitable position to prevent transmission of light to the above-mentioned opening.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided an opening 60 at any suitable place on the face of the clock. Mounted within the clock housing immediately behind the face there is a light bulb 62. The light bulb 62 is connected in parallel with the field 36 by means of leads 64 which are therefore connected to field leads 38 and to a suitable power cord.

In that the casing 22 of the clock is frequently made of a light translucent plastic material, it has been found to be desirable to enclose the light bulb 62 within a cylindrical shield 66 which shield is made of an opaque material. The shield 66 may be glued to the back of the front supporting plate 40 and serve to mount the bulb thereon. The cylindrical shield 66 is positioned to direct the light issuing from one end toward the openings 62. In order that the light directed across the opening 60 may be visible from in front of the dial, a small lens 68 may be glued in place in the opening 60. In one embodiment, the lens 68 was made of a red plastic material to provide an easily visible indication.

The shutoff member 54 is formed with a light shutter 70 which consists of an integral projection extending upwardly and forwardly from the center portion thereof, as may best be seen in FIG. 2. The light shutter 70 is essentially L-shaped when viewed from the front having the forward end thereof 70a formed at right angles to the remainder of the alarm shutoff. The portion 70a extends parallel to the plane of the front supporting plate 40 and has secured to its forward face a cushion or gasket '72.

When the alarm shutoff 54 is moved forwardly to the shown in FIG. 4. With the cushion 72 covering the lens 68 and engaging the portions of the front supporting plate 40 surrounding the opening 60, none of the light emanating from the light bulb 62 is visible from the front of the clock. Thus, the user of the clock knows immediately that the alarm shutoff is in the restraining position when the lens 68 is not illuminated. On the other hand, when the alarm shutoff 54 is moved rearwardly to the alarm set or nonrestraining position, as is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light shutter 70 and its cushion 72 are positioned rearwardly of the opening 60 and the lens 68 permitting light from bulb'62 to impinge upon the lens 68, and therefore, be visible through the opening 60.

It should be appreciated that the opening 60 and its cooperating lens 68 might be placed in various positions on the face of the clock. The light shutter 70 may be readily modified to extend into covering relation to openings placed in a reasonable area on the front supporting plate 40. There may be occasions, however, in which the position of the movement mechanism or the location of the alarm shutoff 54 may restrict the area in which the opening 60 may be placed. Since the styling of clocks varies considerably, it may be desirable to position the openings 66 in an area of the face of the clock remote from the location of the alarm shutoff. We have, therefore, devised means for transmitting the light to and from the area of .the alarm shutoff 54. The additional embodiments to be described below involve the transmission of the light from the light bulb through transparent light conduits. The use of such conduits has not only increased the flexibility as far as the placement of the openings 60 is concerned, but has also permitted integrating the lens through which the light is transmitted with the supporting means for the bulb.

In FIGS. 6 through 9 of the drawings there is illustrated a second embodiment of our invention which is similar in principle to the embodiment described above but includes improved structure for supporting the light bulb 62 and the lens through which the light is transmitted. To simplify the showing of the second embodiment, the motor and movement have been eliminated from these views leaving only the front and back plates 40', 42, the alarm lever 40, the vibrator 44 and the alarm shutoff 54. As in the first embodiment described above, the front supporting plate 40 is formed with an opening 60. A light bulb 62 is mounted on the rear face of the plate 40 with a cylindrical opaque shield 66 extending along the length of the cylindrical bulb. The light bulb 62 and its enclosing shield 66 are supported by means of a molded plastic support or carrier 76 made of a transparent plastic such as Lucite. The carrier 76 is secured to the rear face of the front supporting plate 40 by means of a projection 7601 which extends through a hole in the front supporting plate and a pair of tabs 76b. The front supporting plate 40 is provided with integrally formed projections 40a which are formed over the tabs 76b to retain the carrier 76 assembled thereto, as may best be seen in FIG. 9. A suitable cavity 760 is formed in carrier 76 to receive the bulb 62 and its shield 66. Since the carrier 76 merely supports the light bulb 62 and performs no shielding function, the walls defining the cavity 76c are cut away over a considerable area.

Molded integrally as a part of the carrier 76 are a lens 78 and a light conduit 80. As may best be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 the light conduit 80 is connected to the remainder of the carrier 76 by means of wall members 76d which serve no purpose other than to support the conduit 80 with respect to the remainder of the carrier 76 which is secured to the supporting plate 40. As is evident from an inspection of FIGS. 6 and 7 the light transmitted from the end of the cylindrical shield 66 remote from the bulb leads is directed toward the light conduit 80. To redirect the light forwardly with respect to the face of the clock, the conduit 80 is formed with an angled reflecting surface 80a. Thus, the light transmitted from the bulb 62 moves parallel to the supporting plate 40 as it enters the light conduit 80. The light then reflects against the 45 degree angled surface 80a and is reflected forwardly, perpendicular to the supporting plate 40. The light passes through the light conduit 80 leaving the conduit at the lens 78 which extends through opening 60 in the plate 40. The face of the lens 78 is serrated to produce a dispersion of the light emanating therefrom so that it is more easily visible.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, transmission of the light from the bulb 62 to the light conduit 80 is selectively prevented by means of a shutter or barrier 82 which is formed integrally with the alarm shutoff 54. The barrier or shutter 82 includes two mutually perpendicuplar legs 82a and 32b which extend away from the alarm shutoff 54. On the end of the leg 82b most remote from the shutoff lever for the alarm shutoff 54, there is forwardly projecting plate mem her 820 which is movable with the alarm shutoff 54. In FIGS. 6 and 8 the plate member 82c is shown in solid lines in its nonobstructing position whenit is ineffective in preventing light from passing from the bulb 62 to the light conduit 80. With the plate in the nonobstructing position, the alarm shutoff 54 is, of course, in the alarm position wherein the alarm is permitted to sound at the selected hour. In FIGS. 6 and 8 there are dotted line showings of the plate member 820 in its obstructing position wherein it prevents the transmission of light from the bulb 62 to the light conduit 80. When the alarm shutoff 54 is pushed forward to its alarm restraining position, the plate member 820 moves to the dotted line position shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 and prevents any light from being transmitted to the lens 78. It should be noted that the shield 66 surrounds the bulb 62 sufficiently so that no light emanating from the bulb enters the Lucite carrier 6 76 except that which is permitted to enter the light conduit 80. The spacing and disposition of the wall members 76d is such that the transmitted light does not enter therein for transmission to the light conduit 80. It should be understood that the shield 66 could be eliminated and a tubular Lucite carrier provided with the inside thereof covered with an opaque paint.

In FIGS. 10 through 13 there is shown a third embodi ment of the invention in which another form of bulb carrier or support is employed to vary the position of the opening 60 through which the signal light is transmitted. In FIGS. 10 through 13 the opening 60 is positioned below the light bulb 62. Such an arrangement may be desirable in instances where the lens through which the signal light emanates is to be centered with respect to the face of the clock. This embodiment demonstrates that, through the use of a light conduit, the openings 60 may be positioned at almost any location on the face of the clock. An integral plastic bulb carrier 84 includes a recess 84a within which the bulb 62 is received. The bulb 62 is enclosed by an elongated shield 86 which extends beyond the end of the bulb remote from the lead connection. The shield 86 is made of a flexible woven plastic tubing so that it may conform to the shape of the light bulb 62 and the portion of the light conduit 80 to which it connects.

The carrier 84 is formed of a clear plastic material such as Lucite having a light conduit 88 positioned immediately adjacent the end of the light bulb 162. The flexible shield 86 is received over the end of the conduit 88 adjacent the bulb 62 as is best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The end of the light conduit 88 remote from the bulb is provided with an angled reflecting surface 88a which reflects impinging light at 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the light conduit. To illustrate the path of light emanating from the bulb 62 through the conduit 88, arrows have been employed in FIGS. 11.

Spaced immediately below the light conduit 88 is a second light conduit 90 which conducts the light in the opposite direction from the light passing through the conduit 88. The end of the light conduit 90 adjacent the end of the conduit 88 is for-med with an angled reflecting surface 90a which reflects the impinging light through an angle of 90. Thus, light reflecting from surface 88a passes downwardly into light conduit 90 where it is reflected against surface 90a and transmitted horizontally through the conduit 90. At the other end of the conduit 90, there is a second angled reflecting surface 90b positioned at a 45 angle to the front supporting plate 48 as may best be seen in FIG. 13. Light reflecting against the angled surface 90b passes forwardly through the light conduit 90 and is transmitted through a serrated lens 92.

The bulb carrier 84 is retained on the front supportting plate 40 by means of integral tabs on the plate 40 and projecting portions 84b in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through 9. In addition, the portion of the light conduit 90 extending through the opening 60 and a projection 84c extending through an opening in plate 40 locate the carrier 84 and prevent its twisting with respect to the front supporting plate 40. The end of light conduit 90 which terminates in the serrated lens 92 is integrally joined to the wall portions of carrier 84 which define the recess 84a. The other end of the light conduit 90 is structurally connected to the light conduit 88 by an integrally molded wall portion 94. The wall portion 94 is formed with right angles such that no light is conducted from conduit 88 into conduit 90 through the wall portion 94.

To selectively obstruct the passage of light from the light conduit 88 to the light conduit 90, a shutter or barrier 96 is provided which extends from the alarm shutoff 54. Thus the shutter 96 is moved into and out of obstructing relationship with the light rays passing from the bulb 62 to the lens 92 in the same manner as was described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 6 through 9.

The embodiment pictured in FIG. 14 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 13 except that a single light conduit is employed and the barrier is inserted between the bulb and the light conduit. An integrally molded transparent plastic bulb carrier 98 is secured to the front supporting plate 40 in the same manner as the second and third embodiments described above with plastic projections extending through holes in the plate 40 and tabs on the plate securing the carrier thereto.

The carrier 98 is formed with a recess 98a within which the bulb 62 and its light shield 100 are received. Adjacent the end of the bulb 62 there is an L-shaped light conduit 102 which is an integral part of the bulb carrier 98. The light conduit 102 is positioned with one leg positioned below and extending parallel to the axis of bulb 62 and the other leg extending vertically. The upper end of the vertical leg of conduit 102 is positioned opposite the unshielded end of the bulb 62 wherein it may receive light emanating from the bulb 62. Closely spaced adjacent the upper end of light conduit 102, there is an angled reflecting surface 102a which receives light entering the conduit horizontally and reflects it downwardly through the conduit 102. Spaced below the reflecting surface 102a is a second angled reflecting surface 102k which receives the light passing vertically downwardly and reflects it in a horizontal direction through conduit 102. A third angled reflecting surface 1020 reflects the horizontally traveling light forwardly through a serrated lens 104 in which the light conduit 102 terminates. The portion of conduit 102 carrying lens 104 extends through an opening 60 in the plate 40. The angled reflecting surface 102c and the serrated lens 104 are orientated in the same relative positions and cooperate in the same manner as the surface 90b and the lens 92 shown in FIG. 13.

The alarm shutoff of the embodiment is formed with an extension 106 which acts as a shutter or barrier to prevent light from passing from the bulb 62 to the end of the light conduit 102 when the alarm shutoff is in the shutoff position. As in the case of the other embodiments, when the alarm shutoff is moved to the alarm on position, the shutter 106 is moved rearwardly away from the front supporting plate 40 to a position in which light is permitted to pass from the bulb 62 out of the end of i the cylindrical shield 100 into the light conduit 102. Ar-

rows are used in FIG. 14 to show the path of light rays as they are reflected from the angled surfaces 102a and 10% in passing through the light conduit 102. It should be understood that the light conduit 102 is connected to and molded integrally with the portion of the bulb carrier 98 which defines the bulb receiving recess 98a.

While there has been shown and described several embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention, and that it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

' shielding means partially enclosing said bulb and directing light therefrom in a direction parallel to said supporting plate, a combined light reflector and lens mounted in said A opening, said light reflector directing said light forwardly mechanism and a position permitting operation of said alarm mechanism, a light bulb in said housing which is connected to be energized whenever said motor is energized, an opening in said housing through which light from said bulb may be observed, a combined bulb support and light conduit made of a transparent material and carried by said housing, said bulb being received in a cavity formed integrally in said support, said bulb being positioned to transmit light through a conduit portion of said support to said opening, said support being formed to provide a clearance space in the path of light passing between said bulb and said opening, a light shutter connected to said alarm shutoff and movable into said clearance space to obstruct the light passing through said conduit to said opening.

3. An electric alarm clock comprising a housing enclosing a motor and movement, an alarm mechanism driven by said movement, an alarm shutoff movable between a position restraining operation of said alarm mechanism and a position permitting operation of said mechanism, a light bulb mounted in said housing, said bulb being connected to be energized whenever said motor is running, an opening in said housing, a combined bulb support light reflector and lens having a recess within which said bulb is received, said combined bulb support light reflector and lens having a reflecting surface for directing light from said bulb through said lens and said opening, said lens extending through said opening and diffusing the light passing through said opening, said combined bulb support light reflector and lens being formed to provide a clearance space in the path of light between said bulb and said lens, and a light shutter connected to said alarm shutoff and movable into said clearance space to prevent light from being reflected through said opening when said alarm shutoff is in the restraining position.

4. An electric alarm clock comprising a housing containing a clock motor and movement, an alarm shutoff extending through the wall of said housing and having a manually actuatable portion outside of said housing, a light bulb mounted in said housing, said bulb being connected to be energized whenever said motor is running, an opening in said housing, a transparent light conduit extending from said bulb to said opening for transmitting light rays from said bulb to the exterior of said housing through said opening, said conduit being slotted forming an interruption between said bulb and said opening, said conduit being a reflecting surface positioned adjacent said opening to direct light from said bulb through said opening, a light shutter connected to said alarm shutoff and movable into and out of the slotted portion of said conable alarm shutoff slidably mounted on said movement and adapted to restrain said alarm mechanism, a light bulb mounted in said housing, said bulb being connected to be energized whenever said motor is running, shielding means surrounding said bulb and directing the light therefrom in one direction, a tortuous, elongated light conduit positioned to receive light from said bulb and tnansmit said light through said opening, said light conduit having a reflecting surface adjacent said opening for directing light from said bulb through said opening and a light shutter connected to said alarm shutoff and movable therewith between said bulb and said conduit When said shutoff is in the restraining position.

6. In an alarm clock a dial, a light source positioned behind said dial and lighted at all times the clock is operating, a member positioned behind said dial to provide for the passage of light emitted by said light source, said member being a transparent light conducting member having a light reflective surface positioned behind a portion of said dial to reflect light through said portion of said dial so that a light spot appears on said dial when the clock is in a darkened surrounding, an alarm mechanism including an alarm shut-off lever, said shut-off lever being movable between alarm off and alarm set positions, a control member supported by said shut-off lever for movement therewith, said shut-off lever moving said control member to a light-blocking position between said light source and said portion of said dial when said shutoff lever is moved to the alarm off position, and said shutoff lever moving said control member from its light-blocking position when said shut-oil lever is moved to the alarm set position so that a light spot will appear on said dial, said light source and said portion being closely spaced while said control member is remote therefrom but positioned to interrupt passage of light through said light conducting member.

7. In an alarm clock a dial, a light source positioned behind said dial and lighted at all times the clock is operating, a member positioned behind said dial to provide for the passage of light emitted by said light source, a reflective surface positioned behind a portion of said dial to reflect light through said portion of said dial so that a light spot appears on said dial when the clock is in a darkened surrounding, an alarm mechanism including an alarm shut-ofl? lever, said shut-off lever being movable between alarm off and alarm set positions, a control member supported by said shut-off lever for movement therewith, said shut-otf lever moving said control member to a light-blocking position between said light source and said portion of said dial when said shut-off lever is moved to the alarm off position, and said shut-off lever moving said control member from its light-blocking position when said shut-ofl. lever is moved to the alarm set position so that a light spot will appear on said dial, said first mentioned member positioned behind said dial comprising a unitary transparent piece having light conducting parts extending between said light source and said control member and extending between said control member and said reflective surface.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said light source comprises a shielded light bulb carried by said transparent piece and directing light into said conducting part extending to said control member.

No references cited.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

GERALD F. BAKER, Examiner. 

1. AN ALARM CLOCK COMPRISING A MOTOR DRIVEN ALARM MOVEMENT MOUNTED IN A CUP-SHAPED HOUSING OF TRANSLUCENT MATERIAL, SAID MOVEMENT HAVING A SUPPORTING PLATE CLOSING THE FORWARDLY FACING OPENING IN SAID CUP-SHAPED HOUSING, A CLOCK DIAL CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORTING PLATE, AN ALARM SHUTOFF SLIDABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID CASING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FORWARD POSITION PREVENTING SOUNDING OF THE ALARM AND A REARWARD POSITION PERMITTING SOUNDING OF THE ALARM, ALIGNED OPENINGS FORMED IN SAID PLATE AND SAID DIAL, A LIGHT BULB CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORTING PLATE, SHIELDING MEANS PARTIALLY ENCLOSING SAID BULB AND DIRECTING LIGHT THEREFROM IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO SAID SUPPORTING PLATE, A COMBINED LIGHT REFLECTOR AND LENS MOUNTED IN SAID OPENING, SAID LIGHT REFLECTOR DIRECTING SAID LIGHT FORWARDLY THROUGH SAID LENS AND SAID OPENING, AND A LIGHT SHUTTER FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID ALARM SHUTOFF AND MOVABLE BETWEEN SAID BULB AND SAID COMBINED REFLECTOR AND LENS WHEN SAID SHUTOFF IS IN THE FORWARD POSITION. 